CV Scribble

Mac Yard March 2008

Here is a view I took at Mac Yard from the engine during March 2008 while waiting to depart on train 435. This is a paint or graffiti project one can work on. I can't figure what someone gets out of spending all that money on spray cans (you can not do all that with a couple of cans) do all that work and never seeing the car again...George Dutka

A Little Barn

My finished small barn or shed almost ready for a new home on the White River Division

Last month I picked up this small barn at our local flea market. Not sure what make it is, but it was a brightly coloured plastic model that I got for a couple of bucks. The vendor had about a dozen of them and they were all in with his N scale built up structures. To me it looked too big for N scale and too small for HO but I got it anyhow.

The walls are painted. I decided to add a door track and some hinges at that point. The whole project took only a portion of a morning to complete.

  Once home I took a few measurements and decided it could work as a small HO scale barn or shed. It came with about half a tub of glue all over the joints and sides...guess someone did not want it to come apart. I painted the roof Floquil Jade and the walls Tuscan red. The only addition was a door track and hinges. I used Bragdon powders to weather and dull it up a bit but it was not sticking well to the roof. I tried a few more shades of rust and brown but I think I will have to airbrush some additional weathering over the mix...that will make an interesting mess. Some PanPastel white is brushed over the walls and roofing. I added big signs to the ends to hide the glue that missed the joints. I also added a few smaller signs to the front and back. I think it turned out pretty good...other than I will have to work on the steel style roofing. I am thinking of adding a wall stack and put it to work as a shop outbuilding...George Dutka

These signs added are copies from my Bar Mills kits. I weathered them up a lot.

I did not seem to be able to get the rust powders to stick as well as I would like. Since it is metal roofing it will get a n airbrushing of rust shortly. The Cockshutt spreader sign is a local Ontario product.

Wordless Wednesday No. 130

Snapshot - May 2015

 I caught up with NECR northbound at this neat looking overhead bridge North of  WRJ on Sept 27, 1996.

I followed this NECR northbound train out of White River Jct. back in the fall of 1996. I was able to catch the train at a few locations following the local roadways and before heading up to the freeway to get well ahead of the train. I barely got to this location in time to get the shot. There is a pull over location just under the freeway which is right behind me. A view from the freeway would even be better but it was not accessible on my visit even if I had the extra time. I have modeled a similar style bridge on my layout at a couple of places and really love the scenes. I think I might once again try this location for a photo opp on my next trip to Vermont ..George Dutka

White River Divison - Trackplan

Here we have a not to scale sketch of my layout as it looks now...thought you might like to know the locations of all the photos I have posted over the past year. If you want to see a track plan from the original arrangement one can check out the March 2009 MR or on their web site....George Dutka

Railfanning the OSR...by Don Janes

These shots were taken just as the train was leaving the Cami Plant. We barely got to this crossing in time for photos.

Following the OSR Woodstock Job

     On Wed. George and I swung around to Ingersol to pick up our friend and fellow CNR retiree Gary Pembleton.  Gary had just gone through bypass heart surgery a couple of weeks before and was ready to get out for some fresh air and train watching.  Gary has always been my local railfan guide as he knows all the back roads and good photo locations in this area.    We no sooner got Gary buckled into the car when he said the OSR was just leaving the CAMI plant so we headed out to catch him. We no sooner arrived at out first location when the train closed in at the crossing so we were able to get a couple of quick shots there.  After that we followed the train to Woodstock where he would set off loaded auto racks for the CPR and pick up empties to return for loading in Ingersol.  This was a great day to follow the train because on the point were two ex CNR/VIA FP9-A's. The OSR has all kinds of vintage power but to me this is the best locomotive lash-up to photograph pulling a freight train. We also took a peak at the old CNR Ingersol station which I am sad to say hasn't got much time left.  Enjoy the chase.

Here are a couple more shots taken a little further through the town of Ingersol.

This is a neat sign and a good spot to get a train shot, especially when the train has two ex CNR FP9-A's leading it.

The OSR train has arrived at the CPR yard at Woodstock and is making a set-off.

Here are a couple more shots of the old Ingersol station.  This roof would be a great detail to try to copy on a model structure.

40' Soo Line Double Door Boxcars

A CV through freight passes the old Crosby Coal structure on the White River Division with two Soo Line double door boxcars headed to WRJ.

The Ongoing Boxcar Project
Images by George Dutka...............Narrative by Peter Mumby

In a post from a couple of seasons ago (Using Up C&BT Boxcar Shells - Nov 17, 2012), George outlined our plan to build a number of 40' boxcars utilizing parts we had on hand.  Years of attending train shows and acquiring bulk "deals" had left me with a carton of good quality shells, a box of Proto 2000 boxcar parts, assorted other detail parts, plus a large assortment of decal lettering.  The shells had no moulded-on ladders or grab irons, and included a variety of door opening sizes.  We both had assorted trucks and couplers available, so we decided we could build a variety of cars with no further cash outlay.

The first order of business was to decide on which cars to model.  We had to strike a balance between prototypes of interest and ones for which we could locate photos and available lettering sets.  After a little research through our respective books and files of magazine articles, we each selected six prototypes, set the decals aside, and made notes of photo locations.  The appropriate shells were labelled accordingly, and things got underway.  As you can see from the Nov 2012 post, we both selected a P&LE car for our initial effort. 

Quite a bit of time passed before our next boxcars left the shop.  Our weekly work sessions are about three hours in duration, and the boxcar project by and large was relegated to "filler" status.  Any day when we had an extra half hour, out would come the boxcar shells and a few more grab irons would be added.  Our next post on this project came on Apr 02, 2015, when our New Haven cars were featured.

This is George Dutka's Soo Line build. These cars had black ends.

 We had each selected a Soo 40' double door car as a modelling candidate, and these cars came next.  As a reference we used a Jan 1998 article from Railmodel Journal.  This was a magazine that really excelled at presenting rolling stock photos and data.  According to this article, the cars in the 758xx number series came with black ends, and this feature was of interest to us both.  The C&BT underbodies were sufficiently well detailed that only bleed rods were added; the shells received the regular complement of metal grabs, stirrups and cut levers, see-through roof walks, and appropriate doors and ladders.  George airbrushed both cars, then he lettered the 75824 with a set of Champion decals.  I used a very nice set from the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society to letter the 75846.

Along with the Soo car I decided to model a modernized Milwaukee car that I found in the Morning Sun book Milwaukee Road Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment.  Number 18039 had shortened ladders on the A end and had had its roof walk removed.  The variety of patched-out data made this car particularly appealing to me.  The detailing was the same as the Soo cars, with the exception of the roof walk.  George painted this car for me as well, and it was lettered with an assortment of Microscale and Herald King decals.  To replicate the weathered appearance of the roof, it was dry brushed with aluminum, black, and boxcar red paints.

George applied a flat finish to all three cars, then they were lightly weathered with powders and PanPastels.  We each have a few shells remaining from our original selections, but these will probably be held in abeyance until the beginning of the next modeller's season.  Oh, and George has been checking out my carton of 50' boxcar shells - I guess we'll have to be on the lookout for a few more interesting prototype photos!

Peter Mumby's two double door boxcars before weathering.

A closer look at George's car. The weathering used on this model was on the lighter side. Unloading information is seen on the tack board.

Here we see Peter's two completed models. The Milwaukee Road car is modeled with roof walks removed.

Ontario Southland Ry - Yesterday

 A pair of ex-CNR FP9's approach this neat photo location in Beachville, Ont. Ontario Southland Ry. lead engine no. 1400 was built in 1958 and trailing 6508 was built in 1954. When is the last time you have seen two vintage engines like these in regular freight service...good reason to pick up some CNR F's models for your layout.

Yesterday Don Janes and I visited our friend Gary Pembleton who lives in Ingersoll. Gary had major surgery a few weeks ago and is in recovery mode. This was a chance for him to get out for a few hours on a road trip. With the Ontario Southland Ry. near by we decided to check out what was going on. We got lucky with two FP9's leading a train arriving in town. Gary told us that this is the Woodstock turn job. We followed it over to Woodstock before heading back. Back in Ingersoll we checked out the old CNR station which is really showing neglect. After a few quick errands we dropped off Gary and headed for home...George Dutka

The Ontario Southland Ry Woodstock turn slips by us at Beachville, Ont. Don is getting another shot as Gary looks on.

In a CPR siding at Woodstock, Ont. this backhoe is loaded in a gondola for work train service. Kind of a neat modeling setup.

The old Ingersoll, Ont. CNR station has seen better days. I am really surprised it is still standing. This is the roadside view.

The rail side of the station is in much better condition.

Wordless Wednesday No. 129

Last Spike Driven on the Green Mountain Division...by Don Janes

The last spike is being driven where the two ends of the mainline meet.  Since starting the new layout in 2003 it was truly an occasion to bring a big smile to my face.

The Inaugural Run of the Ambassador

The Ambassador, led by B&M F2 4225 is crossing the Connecticut River as it departs White River Junction on its inaugural run over the Green Mountain Division

          After twelve years it finally happened, the last spike was driven on the mainline of the Green Mountain Division and the trains started running the entire length of the railroad.  It was a great day for me and it shows by my smile as I drove the last spike.  To finally see those locomotives and cars doing their job on the railroad, that was truly rewarding.  The biggest thrill was to see a train traverse the entire layout without incident, but then again there were no visitors there so why should anything go wrong? 

     For years I have been building locomotives and rolling stock but it only ever ran back and forth on whatever track I had down, not a true test of the reliability.  Even though things seem to run great in that situation there's nothing like a loop around the layout, running over turnouts and around curves to bring out the worst in a locomotive or car.  Although I haven't had a chance to test all my equipment I am very pleased overall with its performance.  I have run into a couple of steam locomotives that climbed frogs or bogged down on curves so I will have to look at them at more closely. 

     This also gave me the opportunity to test out all those hand built turnouts and Tortoise switch machines to make sure they operate the way they are supposed to when trains are actually running over them.  So far so good.  

     Now I can start working on scenery and structures and building some more rolling stock kits, the part of the hobby I really enjoy.  So sit back and watch the first Ambassador as she rolls along the Green Mountain Division for the first time.

The colourful B&M F2 is blowing for the crossing as she is leaving White River Junction.  The boys at the grocery store seem to have better things to talk about as they don't even give the train a second glance.

Here is another view of the train as it crosses the Connecticut River.  The trees are just starting to take on their fall colours.

Waterbury Vt. is the next stop.  The station was built for me by Rich Cobb and I hope to get some scenery done in this area in the near future.

Here we see our train leaving the main layout room and heading towards the furnace room.  This is where you can also take the track to the left of the locomotive to the staging yard.  The track in the foreground is the Wells River Branch

Pennsylvania RR Pullman car "Centhill" brings up the rear.  Sleepers are still carried daily on this train and it's not uncommon to see cars from several different railroads in the consist, one of the things that make this an interesting train to watch..

The train passes through the furnace room over this long lift out bridge.  Staging is to the right.  By passing through this room it adds a sense of distance to the run. Please excuse the mess on the floor, that will be cleaned up in the near future.

The mainline exits the furnace room through Hoosac Tunnel.  This is a replica of the West Portal of Hoosac Tunnel and was given to me by my friend Dick Elwell.  This scene will look much better once the scenery is added.

This is the lift out bridge that carries the mainline across the doorway in this small hallway.  It can be taken out and put in very quickly.

This newly constructed benchwork carries the mainline along the wall towards North Bennington and the sceniced part of the layout.  There is a passing siding at this location for meets.

Our train is slowing for a station stop at North Bennington.  The Rutland got out of the passenger business after the 1953 strike so the B&M trains now serve this community.  B&M freight trains also interchange  traffic here with the Rutland. This is another station built for me by Rich Cobb.  All the structure here are scratchbuilt to closely match the prototype. I hope to do a separate blog post on this area soon.

 

Mortar Mix

A coating of PanPastel white is applied to a N scale chimney.

I was working on a N scale chimney a few weeks ago when I decided to try something different for mortar. In larger scales I have used plaster, washes of gray and white for mortar, this time I decided to see how some of my white PanPastels worked for this. I brushed it on and then wiped it off with my finger. The stuff stayed in the grooves and looked pretty good. Guess I might try it next on a HO and O scale model. I think I might try a gray tone next...George Dutka

Once wiped off it appears to work well as mortar mix. Will show you the finished model and chimney shortly.

Main Street

The first building and a part of the second are all that is on the main street..the rest are painted on the backdrop.

At the Copetown Show this winter the Ontario and Quebec modular layout was on display. One scene that impressed both Don and I was main street. It was a short street that looks longer when  continued onto the backdrop. Here are a few photos I took of the scene with my pocket Canon...George Dutka.

Looking at the back of main street one can see the two structures better.

The scene is very impressive when viewed from the face board down low.

What's in the Box No. 17

16 Elm St. is a very nice kit with a lot of parts included.

I really wanted a new and better detailed farm house for my Northfield Falls scene. I picked up this nice Mount Blue Model Co. Maine home at this years Springfield train show. The prototype Elm St. home is found near Philips, Maine and is the summer home of the model company owner. There is a lot of nice detailed doors and windows  not to mention the screened porch which makes the building what it is. If one looks back through the more recent posts you will see it completed...will post construction photos shortly.

In the kit there are many pieces which all are easy to locate. The instructions are very good and the parts sheets identify each piece. The windows need to be built up that takes some time. Most of the small trim and windows are self sticking. The screen doors are really nice with an etched plastic piece which looks like real screening. There are extra screen door options included...George Dutka

There are a lot of windows to build and install. All the parts are easy to identify using the plans.

The exterior walls and the screen door sheet.

An interior could be added as each room has a door opening. The walls work well as bracing also. The plans indicate the use of each room.

Mount Blue Model Co. display model of 16 Elm St. at this years Springfield train show.